Page:VCH Staffordshire 1.djvu/414

 A HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE MISCELLANEOUS EARTHWORKS (CLASS X) ECCLESHALL. The defensive earthworks here would seem to have been a broad and deep moat, square in form, inclosing a quadrangular area, whereon the castle stood with a strong stone retaining wall sup- porting the isolated inclosure, with an arched bridge across the moat for the approach to the castle. Much of the retaining wall remains and also a fine angle tower of nine sides. The bridge across the moat seems to have been central on the south side, which would give a length of 280 ft. east and west for the build- ing area, and 170 ft. north and south. The River Sow is in imme- diate connexion with the site. Recent dealing with the grounds and sur- rounding waters has much modified the char- acter of the earthwork. The nearest altitude on the Ordnance map is 300 ft. LICHFIELD. The close and city were fortified with fosse and wall and towers as at Eccleshall. The lower part of the north-east tower still remains, and the eastern fosse bounds the palace grounds, and remains of the northern wall still exist in the palace and other gardens. KINVER : STOURTON. Here there are two lines of earthworks, one against the road to the south of the castle running east and west and the other follow- ing the line of the River Stour running north and south, but these may have been occasioned by the construction of the road and as flood-banks against the river. There are also slopes and banks to the south-east of the present house, but there is nothing about them indicating that they are of ancient origin. Stourton is said to have been fortified for the king at the commencement of the Civil Wars. TYRLEY. This is at present the site of a farm-house, and there are no definite remains of earthworks. Besides the foregoing there are other earthworks enumerated in the following table, of which only a very general account can be given by reason of their indefiniteness both as to their extent and character. 37 SCACE. OF FEE.T 100 200 aoo SECTIONS AB.C.D ECCLESHALL CASTLE